Chloe East: The Unlikely Star Seizing Her Destiny in 'Heretic'

Chloe East has crafted a rather charming coping mechanism in the whirlwind of burgeoning fame, and it’s a delightful concoction of skepticism sprinkled with humor. She often finds solace in the idea that each new project could very well be a spectacular flop. Take, for example, her first big venture in 2021’s HBO teen drama *Generation*. When the network executives declared it the successor to *Euphoria*, her immediate thought was, “Is it, though?” An attitude of delightful detachment, wouldn’t you say?

Then there’s her role in Steven Spielberg’s biopic *The Fabelmans*, where she played the Jesus-loving Monica—quite an intriguing mix of the director’s childhood crushes. When she attended the premiere at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival, she mentally prepared herself for the humiliating prospect of being edited out of the film entirely. Fast forward to her latest project, the thriller *Heretic*, co-starring Hugh Grant and *Yellowjackets*’ Sophie Thatcher. Naturally, she’s entertaining the notion that no one will ever bother to watch it. The irony here is delicious—she’s been proven wrong every single time.

Of course, *Generation*, though short-lived, launched a plethora of promising young talents like Chase Sui Wonders and Justice Smith. And let’s not forget her scene-stealing performance in *The Fabelmans*. “They included me in so much of the movie, and people roared with laughter at my part,” she recalls, the surprise glimmering in her eyes. “I was like, ‘What?’ And then I saw folks leaving Letterboxd reviews—an app I hold dear to my heart—mentioning my name. That was a jolt!”

Since then, East’s calendar has been a parade of bookings. It’s almost embarrassing how many exciting projects await her—she’ll share the screen with Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano in *No Good Deed*, grace the anticipated *A Big Bold Beautiful Journey*, and play Amy Adams’ daughter in *At the Sea*. Quite a resume for a 23-year-old from San Clemente! “I was a film snob at 13,” she chuckles, reminiscing about childhood trips to L.A.’s indie cinemas, which culminated in a rather scandalous outing to *Holy Mountain*, an X-rated affair her dad insisted on attending. “I remember they denied me entry at the Aero Theatre. Can you imagine?”

Her relentless work ethic might be matched only by her uncanny ability to suss out roles that don’t quite fit. “If cracking a character for an audition feels like a Herculean task, then, honey, there’s someone else out there who’s better suited for the job,” she states, with the kind of wisdom that belies her youth. When she stumbled upon the script for *Heretic*, however, the universe aligned perfectly. It’s a heady blend of incisive exploration of religious fervor and a thrilling ride that may just make your heart race.

In this film, she and Thatcher portray two intrepid Mormon missionaries who bravely knock on the door of a potential recruit, only to find themselves ensnared in a sinister game of religious fanaticism, courtesy of Hugh Grant’s oh-so-charming facade. Though not a Mormon herself, East grew up in a religious environment where many of her friends are devout, and she felt an undeniable sense of duty to portray a respectful representation of a Mormon missionary. “It sounds cocky, but I felt like no one could embody this character better than me,” she enthuses, her passion palpable. “I felt protective of the role because I wanted to do it justice.”

The filming in Vancouver marked her first foray as a lead, and while the process mirrored her previous experiences, the perks were refreshing. Imagine a personal refrigerator stocked with Yerba Mates, rides to and from the set, and even a Taco Bell truck, all courtesy of the production team, pining for her “princess treatment.” East laughs wryly, “While I appreciate the indulgence, I hope I never get too comfortable wearing the crown.”

Yet, as much as she tries to shrug off the weight of it all, it’s evident that change is on the horizon. Conducting this interview over Zoom while in production for an undisclosed project, she jokingly reveals, “I’ve only told my family and my dog.” A heavy load for someone so young, true, but she cleverly leans on industry veterans, especially forging a connection with Amy Adams post-*At the Sea*. “I’ve worked with plenty of incredible people I can’t relate to at all. But Amy and I, we have shared experiences that connect us.”

As she points to her iPhone, displaying a list of “Questions for Amy,” East muses on her philosophy, “What matters most to me is ensuring that if everything were to vanish, I’d still be perfectly content.” There it is again: her knack for balancing hope with practicality. “That’s why I convince myself every job will be a failure—just putting that notion to the test. ‘If I can’t act anymore, it’d be a bummer, but, hey, I can still surf, hang with my friends, and bake a chocolate cake.’” And isn’t that just the delightful essence of living?

This narrative aligns perfectly with the shifting tides of the entertainment industry, where East continues to navigate her path with a healthy dose of skepticism and an undeniable spark of ambition. Watch out, Hollywood—she’s coming, and who knows? She might just surprise us all.